All-terrain vehicle proposal likely to fail

Town Board also will consider installing water meters for residents, businesses

Steamboat Springs  Concerned Oak Creek residents will address the Oak Creek Town Board tonight about a proposed law that would allow minors to drive all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and dirt bikes on town streets.

During the Town Board's Sept. 8 meeting, Oak Creek resident Scott Enger asked board members to consider passing an ordinance that would allow 50cc vehicles, primarily snowmobiles, ATVs, pocket bikes and dirt bikes, to be driven on town streets.

After discussing the proposal, the Town Board decided to table the issue until Oak Creek police Chief Linda Koile and Mayor Kathy "Cargo" Rodeman could research what other communities have done with similar requests.

On Wednesday, Rodeman said she had spoken with officials from three mountain communities that passed similar ordinances to understand what they went through and what some potential problems with the law might be.

Rodeman said she has rec--eived "zero support" from the community on the issue, and she doubts the discussion will go any further than tonight's meeting.

"I haven't heard anything positive from anyone in this community about this," she said.

Rodeman said she has received letters from concerned residents stating that if this ordinance passes, children could be injured or killed.

"I sincerely doubt this will happen," she said.

In other business, Rodeman said she will bring up the possibility of installing water meters for town residents and business owners.

Rodeman is writing a grant request to help fund the water meters, which she thinks would make equitable what town residents pay for water.

Currently, residents and businesses pay the same flat fee for water. Rodeman thinks water meters would be a more sensible way for people to pay for water because most homeowners don't use the same amounts of water that many businesses, such as restaurants, do.

"Some people will pay more now, some people will pay less, but you'll be paying for what you use," she said.

Rodeman has been working to get water meters for the town since she became mayor several years ago.

"I think water meters would be our best bet," she said. "It's time we get them done."

Several residents have asked for the meters because of the equity issue.

Rodeman also said that several governmental representatives will speak at tonight's meeting to try to get the Town Board to pass a resolution supporting referendums C and D and ballot initiative 1A, which deals with preserving ranch lands and natural areas.

The Oak Creek Town Board meeting is tonight at 7 p.m. at Oak Creek Town Hall.